James G. Brown
Sky reporting that he's stepped down as PM.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:36, 75 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Welcome to Yesterday.

( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:38, Reply)

Sorry.
To clarify.

No10 being unpacked.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:40, Reply)

Nowhere does it say that.
Lib-Dem Labour talks have reportedly failed, but it's not the same thing.

"Gordon Brown has not resigned" the PM Spokesman has told Reuters.
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:51, Reply)

Do you have a goverment now?
Apart from the Queen, obviously.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:38, Reply)

Ha ha ha
Ja.

Lars Lokke Rasmussen, since 2007.

(I live in London now though)
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:39, Reply)

Oh, yes, of course
I forgot you are the Danish.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:42, Reply)

Ja
It's exciting to see an election which I'm effected by but can't vote in.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:48, Reply)

I could have voted
But decided not to (I'd have to stop voting in Spain).

Now, if they repeat it in 1 year or so, I might give it a go.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:49, Reply)

Hmm.
I go home to vote whenever we have an election wherever I am in the world. It feels like I am doing something for the country.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:51, Reply)

I vote by post
However, my country is doomed, so I don't think I can do much more for them with a piece of paper. I might as well use it in a country were the expenses scandal is a scandal.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:53, Reply)

Labour is still in government until Brown goes to the Queen

(PsychoChomp, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:41, Reply)

Forgive me
But I find it all so funny.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:43, Reply)

Don't you have a Royal family as well?

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:47, Reply)

Ja
Svenska -- including the *gorgeous* Princess Madeleine.

Were I not getting married on Saturday ...
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:49, Reply)

Yes, we do
And I don't like them either.

I find funny the fact that, despite the election results, your PM still has 2 things to do:

1. Ask consent from the Queen
2. Step down as PM
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:51, Reply)

why funny?
It's part of our procedures
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:52, Reply)

I know, I know
I just find difficult to understand that, if Gordon Brownd decides to stay as PM, even if LibDem and Tories agree to work together, he could do it.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:54, Reply)

Uh not quite
he was in charge until a decision could be reached. If LibDems and Conservatives formed a coalition, he would not be PM
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:55, Reply)

I was explained
That as nobody got absolute mayority (?) he could stay as PM, even if his party is not in power.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:58, Reply)

no it doesn't work like that
if Labour is not part of the government formed then he couldn't remain as PM
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:06, Reply)

Are you sure about that?
I was explained that, until now, that has been just good manners, but not a law. That's one of the first things they want to change about your election system and put it in writing.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:07, Reply)

See the video link Psychochomp posted below
It's a nice, clear (and most importantly, concise!) explanation of the situation.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:13, Reply)

I can't do it at work
But I'll do it when I get home (I have a long lonely evening in front of me)

If you are right, I'll be more than happy to correct my colleages at work :)
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

In practise you are right,
but in fact Labour could remain as government until defeated by a vote of no confidence. This would almost certainly be at the Queen's speech.
So, in effect they are out.
Unless a Lib Lab pact can protect them from a VoNC.
( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:17, Reply)

That's what I understood
They were laughing at the situation, as it'd mean that Brown would be PM, but with no power at all.

That's as well why they want to put in writing that he has to step down, rather than leaving it as good manners only.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:20, Reply)

Funny to non-British People
Even though it is a parliamentary government, there is still *one* person who must give permission.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:56, Reply)

Be careful
You might upset some people here.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:59, Reply)

It's ok.
I also think it's farcical.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:10, Reply)

You be careful too
Or do you want people to get upset with you?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:12, Reply)

Well, as a British citizen
my post probably counts as treason. If that were still a punishable offence, I think I could live with the additional consequence of the pro-royal /offtopicers being upset with me.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

It's quite clear - this is a democracy, unless the Queen says otherwise.

( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:19, Reply)

My father supports the King in Spain
However, he keept asking me, when I started voting at 18, "If this is a real democracy, and you choose who is in the goverment, why cannot you choose if you want a king or not?"
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:22, Reply)

I wouldn't count myself as pro-royal
as such. But I certainly wouldn't want to abolish the monarchy. Make of that what you will
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:22, Reply)

Pro-royal
Clearly.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:22, Reply)

if you read what I had written
-not pro-royal. Just not anti them
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:29, Reply)

Similarly, I'm not necessarily abolitionist
(At least, I've mellowed over the years)
If they still turn a profit as the world's biggest hereditary tourist attraction, then they can carry on as figureheads, I just think it's time we did away with these dreadfully dated parts of the constitution (e.g., as Larry describes it "a democracy, unless the Queen says otherwise"). I know she doesn't wield any real power, it just strikes me as immensely hypocritical that we blunder round the world preaching the benefits and virtues of democracy when our own official head of state is appointed autocratically.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:26, Reply)

That'd be awesome.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:10, Reply)

And unheard of

(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:12, Reply)

People just don't flounce like they used to around here.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

Be patient, Wormulus did reappear a few days ago...

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

There's hope yet.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:16, Reply)

I'm counting the seconds
Do you think he'll go with the royals or against them?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:23, Reply)

Oh, he won't flounce over this.
It's /talkers he gets upset with. Not sure who would have a monarchy flounce...
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:28, Reply)

I don't do /talk
Everything goes too fast to follow.

Going home now, have a good evening!
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:30, Reply)

Bonsoir!
(Sorry, I don't speak Spanish so French will have to suffice)
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:31, Reply)

Oh, don´t worry
It´s the same language - not
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 18:42, Reply)

True.
But your Princess Madeleine is *GORGEOUS* though.

Not quite as gorgeous as my future wife, mind (just-in-case-she's-reading-this).
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:53, Reply)

She is
But I don't think you've got a chance with her.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:55, Reply)

True.
But on the positive side:

1. I'm not Jonas Bergstrom
2. I'm not a Swedish lawyer
3. I like horses

On the downside (viz a possible marriage to HRH)

1. Am getting married on Saturday
2. Am Danish
3. Am not Swedish
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:59, Reply)

Swedish are good
Although they go home too early during the week and get too drunk at weekends.

I'm sure your wife to be is a lot nicer than any princess.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:00, Reply)

She is.
And she's a lovely person. I'd imagine that Princesses are, well, princesses.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:06, Reply)

When are you getting married?
Is she British?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

Saturday
...to a Danish girl living in London!
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:23, Reply)

Saturday!
Wow! Just a few days to go!

Are you marrying here or back home?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:26, Reply)

In London
Both families coming over - as it turns out we went to the same school and we hated each other as school kids. Scary.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:32, Reply)

did you know
the King was in hospital over the weekend, having a cyst (or something) removed
(bamboozled Can hear you getting fatter, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:16, Reply)

Yes
He's just gone out of hospital. No cancer, it seems.

I quite like him, as he could have chosen to have a military goverment after Franco, but went for democracy. I don't like the fact that Spaniards have to pay him and all his family a salary for doing nothing (although the 2 princess work, they get money from the gov)
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:25, Reply)

the princess of asturias
works (or used to) 10 minutes walk from my house.

King was treated not 20 minutes away as well.
(bamboozled Can hear you getting fatter, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:44, Reply)

Still? I'm sick of hearing about it.
Talking head after talking head being wheeled out more or less at random to speculate on the radio about what might happen, all the left-wing media speculating that this could be the best thing that ever happened to Britain's voting system, all the right-wing media speculating that it's the worst thing to happen to this country since some plonker gave women the vote. So much endless fucking speculation that has pushed aside all other news - can people not just shut the fuck up until some combination of the three main parties has finally come to a decision?

I know I've been whinging about this a lot, and I apologise. I know it should be interesting, but all this interminable speculation does seem, to me, to be about as much use as publishing an interview in which you ask someone: "You clearly don't know what's going on as you're not in the same room as any of Cameron, Clegg or Brown...but what do you reckon might be happening? Can you imagine what it would be like to know about it? Please feel free to imagine a conversation over tea and biscuits with the three aforementioned party leaders and from that point make stuff up as you go along."

EDIT: Ah, right, didn't realise it was the asking-the-Queen-to-sign-his-permission-slip that made you laugh! Fair enough, though I stand by the above disgruntled ramble.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:52, Reply)

Isn't that just the news nowadays though?
Endless speculation?
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:54, Reply)

There is a lot of that
But every so often I like to be told when something has happened. You know, to have something reported. It look as though it could be a few more days before any decision is made, so why can't the papers leave them to it and find other stuff to report on and/or speculate about?

I know, I know, no paper wants to be the one that misses out when the decision is finally announced, but can't they just...ease off a bit?
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:56, Reply)

I agree, it drives me mad
which is why I limit myself to one bout of news a day (usually the 6pm BBC news).
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:58, Reply)

Like Bruce Forsyth's expert opinion

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:30, Reply)

It might as well be, given some of the idiots who've been given a space to comment on it...

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:33, Reply)

They did a little segment
on HIGNFY about that
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 19:05, Reply)

Well, that as well
It's the whole procedure. The fact that you voted 5 days ago and you still haven't got a goverment (apart from the Queen)
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:57, Reply)

the Queen isn't our government
she's a formality. It's pretty simple
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:07, Reply)

Right
Let's not discuss about this again.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:08, Reply)

this guy is more interesting and entertaining than most
www.b3ta.com/links/Hung_Parliament_in_3_minutes
and it's done by a child.
(PsychoChomp, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:58, Reply)

That is very good
Shame the papers couldn't have been that concise with it!
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:07, Reply)

It's all a massive heap of tedious bollocks.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:01, Reply)

It is that
I've never seen bollocks heaped so high, let alone those of the tedious variety.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:09, Reply)

LIKE A SEX MACHINE

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:40, Reply)

You sexist man, this is a disaster

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:48, Reply)

Aooow! Git on up!

(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:10, Reply)